Combined sales tax collections for all jurisdictions in June were up 3.1 percent compared to the same month in 2013.

“It’s consistent with what we’ve been seeing, which is a nice pace of expansion with virtually no volatility,” said Bob Eisenstadt, director of the University of Louisiana at Monroe’s Center for Business and Economic Research.

The city of Monroe posted a 2.1 percent gain in June.

“If you use Monroe, the largest municipality within the regional economic hub of Ouachita Parish, as a barometer, you’ll see year-to-date growth of 3.1 percent,” Eisenstadt said. “That’s a solid, sustainable growth pattern without significant dips or spikes. It’s healthy.”

Jake Wilson, manager of Pecanland Mall of Monroe, the largest retail center in the region, said June sales there were flat, but back-to-school sales were brisk.

“Our traffic levels were high, and we received positive feedback from tenants, although our final numbers lag about a month,” Wilson said.

Wilson said he does expect modest growth for the rest of the year and already has his sights set on the fourth quarter, the most critical period of the year for retailers.

“We’re optimistic because of the market trends, and yes, we’re already planning for Christmas in August,” he said.

“That hotel occupancy tax growth, I believe, can be directly attributed to business travel associated with CenturyLink’s headquarters expansion and ‘Duck Dynasty’ tourism,” Eisenstadt said. “And the remarkable auto recovery in the market is a sign that consumer confidence continues to grow here.”